NEWS : No markets? No problem. Big Feed brings festive shopping experience to Glasgow’s SEC
Big Feed Christmas Family Festival at the SEC is going to be the ho-ho-hottest ticket in town – because it’s not just a massive gathering of the very best street food vendors, it’s a festive retail extravaganza with stalls and exhibits from traders selling festive goodies and gifts.
With the traditional George Square and St Enoch Square markets not happening this year, the Family Christmas Festival offers that social Xmas shopping experience with seasonal fun and that magical mood to kick off the festive spirit.
Plus there will be all sorts of fun things for kids and families, from story time to face-painting and of course, visits to Santa for £5 – with all profits from Santa visits donated to Cash For Kids.
Big Feed’s Joe Aitken said: “A lot of people have been asking if this is just a larger version of a Big Feed event – and it is that, but it’s also MUCH more.
“We will have some of the very best street food and drinks vendors from around Scotland, but we will also have stands from traders selling all sorts of festive goodies and present ideas.
“So without the Christmas markets happening, we’re trying to give everyone that special festive shopping experience but in a more modern, upmarket way – with the advantage that it’s all indoors.
“We were always going to do this event this Christmas. It’s going to be the perfect way to get into the mood, wandering around looking for gifts and treats while eating great food and sipping a hot drink, cocktail or beer.
“Stands for exhibitors are available now and we have some great, quirky sellers lining up for them, so we’re really happy to be able to provide that unusual twist on Christmas shopping.
“Whether it’s for a family, a couple, a group of friends or even a bunch of colleagues looking for a different kind of Christmas gathering, there’s something for everyone.”
It was important to the team to support a good cause and do all they could to make the whole event affordable, including the Santa visits.
“We wanted to offer something families can come and make a day of, to get that Christmassy memory made.
“Kids go free and adult tickets are £11.35, then of course you buy as much or as little food and drink as you want - and there’s lots of stuff for the kids like story time, Christmas carols, plus other little surprises along the way.
“The Santa visit is £5 and has to be pre-booked and it already looks like this will sell out in advance – you get your sit down with the big man, a wee present and most of that £5 goes straight to Cash For Kids so it’s helping a really good cause too.
“Cash For Kids is a special charity and we want to help them make kids smile this Christmas.”
The two-day event on December 10 and 11 will also have ongoing entertainment from performers and DJs, plenty of seating, bars and a few surprises – as well as that epic street food.
“This really is something very different for us – and for Glasgow. We’re trying to bring together a lot of the little things that make that run-up to Christmas so special, all under one roof, with the support of Clyde 1 and Cash For Kids.
“We will have some very special guests dropping in and we hope to raise a lot of money for Cash For Kids too. It’s a totally new kind of festive event for the city and something we think will become a real tradition in years to come.
“We want to help families make memories together and kick off the festive season with a magical day, great food and drink and a social, fun shopping experience.”
Tickets are on sale now for £11.35 each per adult, free for kids, from:
https://www.sec.co.uk/events/detail/the-big-feed-christmas-family-festival